Started Sword Fern at the wrong time — lessons learned

I planted Sword Fern at entirely the wrong point in the growing calendar and spent the first few months wondering what I'd done wrong. scale insects on the undersides of fronds didn't help matters. Once I understood positioning in shade or dappled light away from direct sun things improved substantially.

exceptional ability to thrive in deep shade is what makes this plant worth persisting with. In a fern wall or vertical garden in a shaded courtyard it finally looks as good as I'd imagined. frond dieback in winter for deciduous species redeemed the whole effort. If you're starting out: do your timing research before you plant.